TOP 5 HEALTH LAWS AND POLICY UPDATES

Dear Reader, We are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Body massagers cannot be ‘sex toys’ just because they can have alternative use: High Court

In a recent ruling, the Bombay High Court has held that body massagers cannot be treated as ‘sex toys’ merely because they can be used for alternative purposes. While coming to this conclusion, the Court observed that it would be incorrect to classify massagers
as items of objectionable description or as obscene figures in the absence of any substantial justification.

Source: bit.ly/3Vvxp9k

Homeopathy practitioners cannot present themselves as gynaecologist; amounts to medical negligence and deficiency in service: State Consumer Commission

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Lucknow (SCDRC) has taken the view that cross-practicing of medicine by doctors trained in branches other than allopathy constitutes medical negligence and a deficiency in service. SCDRC imposed a compensation of Rs. 30 Lakhs on a city-based private nursing home and a homeopathy practitioner for medical negligence. The practitioner misrepresented herself as a gynaecologist, and prescribed allopathic medicines. The SCDRC held both the practitioner and the nursing home liable for their negligence and deficiency in service.

Source: bit.ly/3xavblG

A leading ayurvedic Indian FMCG company has tendered an unconditional apology for its misleading advertisement to Supreme Court

Following a contempt notice on misleading advertisements and the issue of summons, the co-founders of a major ayurvedic FMCG company have tendered an unconditional apology for the company’s misleading advertising practices. The Supreme Court had directed that the co-founders of the company appear personally before the Court on the date of the next hearing. 

Source: bit.ly/43vV5wj 

Government proposes ban on 23 dangerous dog breeds in India

The Indian Government proposed a ban on 23 dog breeds in the country that are deemed “dangerous for human life” in an effort to address the growing number of dog attack cases. Additionally, the government has urged state governments to desist from granting licenses or permits for the sale and breeding of these dog breeds. 

Source: bit.ly/43xEjgi 

Draft Resolution introduced by the UN General Assembly on Artificial Intelligence

The UN General Assembly adopted its first resolution on artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure the technology benefits all nations while respecting human rights and ensuring safety.
Co-sponsored by 123 states, the resolution was adopted by consensus without a vote. Recently, the European Parliament has also taken steps to adopt the Artificial Intelligence Act, considered the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI.

Source: bit.ly/490W88s